June 26th, 2009 | Posted in Uncategorized
The Alliance Party of New Zealand says Revenue Minister Peter Dunne’s proposed changes to the student loan repayment scheme by National would be tightening the screws on students even more.
Students who work over the holidays to save for the following year could be forced to make loan repayments.
Alliance Party Tertiary Education Spokesperson Richard Mitchell says students make very little money during the year, and holiday jobs pay for basic living expenses for the following year.
He says comments by Revenue Minister Peter Dunne complaints that managing student loans was “cumbersome” and difficult to maintain for the Government were crass.
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June 26th, 2009 | Posted in Uncategorized
The Alliance Party of New Zealand is disappointed to hear rumours that the National Government is looking at re-introducing interest on Student Loans.
This weeks Trans Tasman political newsletter contained statements from Government officials that they were looking at making changes to the interest free student loan policy.
Alliance Tertiary Education Spokesperson Richard Mitchell says the National Government gives with one hand and then takes away with another.
“Obviously National’s 10% bonus policy was just a way of softening everyone up before they introduced their real motives.”
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June 6th, 2009 | Posted in Campaign Material
Download this pamphlet and let everyone know about the Drop Debt Today campaign
Download Pamphlet
April 21st, 2009 | Posted in Media Releases
The New Zealand campaign to end student debt “Drop Debt Today” has joined an international campaign in supporting “Reclaim your Education – Global Week of Action 2009″ held this week.
Organised by the International Student’s Movement, the global week of action aims to promote free education.
Drop Debt Today campaign organiser Richard Wallis says “The reason we campaign for the wiping of all student debt is because education should be free for everyone.”
“By putting up barriers to education in the form of fees and debt we are preventing people from being able to better themselves, and preventing people from being able to get together enough money to buy their own home.”
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April 4th, 2009 | Posted in Media Releases
New research shows massive student debt increase since 2004
Average student debt[1] has risen by 54 percent since 2004 and is now $28,838 according to major new research released today by the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA).
Other main findings of the research are:
- Average student debt is over 147 percent higher than in 1998
- Students are looking beyond the student loan scheme, to bank loans, overdrafts, and credit cards to pay for essential living costs
- Core living costs (food, accommodation, transport) have increased significantly
- 88 percent of students consider that student loans will impact on their ability to buy a house
Full Article: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0801/S00025.htm
March 23rd, 2009 | Posted in Media Releases
The Drop Debt Today campaign says the National Government’s decision policy to give bonuses to those who could afford to pay back their student loans quicker was “stealing from the poor to give to the rich.”
DDT Spokesperson Richard Mitchell says “the Sheriff of Nottingham would be pleased with such a slimy scam.”
National education spokesperson Anne Tolley doesn’t even get a “F-” for her announcement, according to Mr Mitchell.
He says Ms Tolley’s comment that “shorter repayment times will mean young New Zealanders will be debt free earlier” was a stunning achievement in Orwellian political double-speak.
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March 8th, 2009 | Posted in Information
An International Comparison of Student Loan Burdens and Repayment Conditions.
Read Full Study Here: http://www.educationalpolicy.org/pdf/Global_Debt_Patterns.pdf
February 17th, 2009 | Posted in Media Releases
Alliance education spokesperson, Richard Mitchell, today announced the official launch of their Drop Debt Today (DDT) campaign.
“Student debt is now at over $10 billion dollars and rising. The party believes that education for all is a right not a privilege. Student loans are out of control. Let’s drop the debt and give young people a good start in life,” says Mr Mitchell.
The Alliance is calling on the government to wipe all loan repayments and introduce a free education system. Only by making education free can we hope to encourage more people into higher education providing a more secure future for all New Zealanders. Continue reading »
November 14th, 2008 | Posted in Information
This is the place for all the people who think that student loans are a thing of the past. In this day and age, with people really struggling to make ends meet it makes sense that the Government should do this.
The horror stories I heard while on the campaign trail this last election about people struggling to make ends meet because of thier student loan repayments have convinced me even more that student loans need to go.
